World : Death Toll From Philippines Ferry Fire Rises To 76, 13 Still Missing

The death toll from a ferry fire in the Philippines has risen to 76, according to the coast guard. The confirmation came after 41 more bodies were discovered on board the M/V June Aster, which caught fire on Wednesday. Forensic specialists are currently working to identify the remains. The ship is currently grounded about 7.5 kilometers off the coast of Coron, Palawan.

A tourism official stated that graves one meter deep have been dug to hold the victims' remains until DNA testing is completed. Relatives will be brought to identify personal items that may have belonged to their loved ones. Once an identification is verified, a DNA sample will be provided. Thirty passengers, including two Chilean nationals, and thirteen crew members have been rescued.

Around a dozen individuals are still missing. The fire is believed to have started in the cargo hold and rapidly spread throughout the ship within seconds, leaving those who escaped without time to put on life jackets. One emotional resident, Josenit Mayo, shared that her daughter had been on the ferry, returning from Manila for a family visit.

Another resident, Myra Cabilan, was traveling to Coron to find her missing brother, who was on the ferry for business. The incident has sparked emotions across the archipelago nation, with hundreds of people leaving comments on the Facebook page of a local mayor, searching for news about their loved ones. The M/V June Aster's owner, Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc, has stated that they are fully cooperating with the investigation.